Le Mans News

Peugeot gives 908 HYbrid 4 first track test at Estoril
Monday, October 17th 2011, 09:16 GMT

Peugeot's diesel-hybrid version of its 908 sportscar underwent its first track test at Estoril, completing more than 300km in the hands of Nicolas Minassian, Stephane Sarrazin and Alexander Wurz.

AUTOSPORT revealed in March that Peugeot had been developing the 908 HYbrid 4 alongside its 908 Le Mans challenger.

The HYbrid 4 had been given a shakedown at a private venue on September 16, but Estoril represented its first genuine track test.

Peugeot Sport's Technical Director Bruno Famin said the test had been a success, although he explained attention had been directed to system functions rather than outright performance.

"Our aim wasn't to put a lot of kilometres on the clock, but to verify that all the chief functions performed," he said.

"The system functioned well and responded as predicted, which was very satisfying. At the same time, we started to make a few adjustments to the car's basic set-up. It worked well, so that's very positive."

Peugeot works driver Stephane Sarrazin said the difference in power provided by the car's energy recovers system was already evident.

"It was interesting to work with the engineers to identify the ideal compromises and, of course, get acquainted with the system, since the project is only in its early days," he explained.

"You can feel the extra power and it will be up to us to harness or adapt it in the most competitive way possible. We will need to strike the right balance."

Although Peugeot has not announced a second test, Famin says the intention is to give the HYbrid 4 another run before the end of 2011.

"It will be interesting to see how the system performs at a different track," he said. "A new phase will also begin when we start to fine tune not only the system but also the handling of the car.

"We have no intention of rushing things, however. We are still on a learning curve and the endurance testing will come later."

Last round of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup 2011, 6 hours Zhuhai track welcome former double World Champion Formula 1 in the person of Mika Häkkinen.

The Finn will share the wheel of a Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 in the colors of China with German Lance David Arnold and Cong Fu Cheng, the first Chinese driver to have competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2008. Double World Champion in 1998 and 1999, Mika Häkkinen has twenty wins in Formula 1, he had left in late 2001 to run in the DTM, before announcing his retirement from the sport in November 2007. Since then he has remained close to McLaren and Mercedes, for many public relations.

If Mika Hakkinen, now 43 years old, has never played in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, two countrymen of his generation, born in 1966, have carved out an enviable record in endurance racing. Mika Salo, who was his opponent for the Championship, British Formula 3 in 1990, is currently one of the pillars of Ferrari GT, including the United States in the Risi Competizione team, with the title LM GT2 American Le Mans Series (2007) and two consecutive wins in this category at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (2008 and 2009). As for JJ Lehto, he became twice in Sarthe overall: in 1995 (McLaren F1 GTR, with Yannick Dalmas and Masanori Sekyia) and 2005 (on Audi R8 with Marco Werner and Tom Kristensen).

In addition to continuing the battle Peugeot-Audi prototypes, Mika Häkkinen, out of retirement for the occasion will be one of the great attractions of Zhuhai 6 hours, to be held November 13.

Note that a copy of Mercedes SLS GT3 finished third the last 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.

narboza22 wrote:I was talking about Nakajima. If there was ever a driver never did anything exciting, it'd be him. I don't know why Toyota think they need a Japanese driver.